Tirupati Laddu Row: CBI-Led SIT Arrests Four People, 'Severe Lapses' Found In TTD’s E-Tendering Process, Says Report

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered serious irregularities in the e-tendering process of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) after the arrest of four individuals in connection with the adulteration of ghee used in the preparation of the revered Tirumala Srivari Laddu, reported ANI.

Acting on the directives of the Supreme Court, the CBI’s SIT launched an extensive investigation into the matter, leading to the revelation of "severe lapses" in TTD’s procurement process.

The arrested individuals reporteldy include Bipin Jain and Pomil Jain, former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy (Roorkee, Uttarakhand); Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, CEO of Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambakkam); and Raju Rajasekharan, MD of AR Dairy (Dundigal).

The remand report confirmed that ghee adulteration had taken place, with all three dairy suppliers reportedly involved in the scandal.

According to the Telugu Desam Party, the accused were subjected to a three-day interrogation in Tirupati, yet they reportedly remained uncooperative despite compelling evidence against them.

Investigations have raised disturbing allegations, including claims that animal carcass residues were found in the ghee, triggering widespread outrage among devotees.

IAR Dairy, which had a contract with TTD, has reportedly been found guilty of multiple violations.

To oversee the case closely, Joint Director Viresh Prabhu has been stationed in Tirupati to monitor further developments, the TDP added.

Commenting on the arrests, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Lanka Dinakar stated that all individuals involved in the alleged ghee adulteration would be produced in court soon.

"In this process, yesterday, the SIT arrested Bipin Jain, Pomil Jain of Roorkee’s Bhole Baba Dairy, Poonambakkam’s Vaishnavi Dairy CEO Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, and Dundigal’s AR Dairy MD Raju Rajasekharan. All will be produced in court, and the investigation process is ongoing," Dinakar remarked.

Meanwhile, TTD Board Member Bhanu Prakash Reddy expressed confidence that the true masterminds behind the scandal would be brought to justice.

"Last night, 3-4 directors of dairies were taken into custody and have now been sent to remand. Who all are behind this? Why this happened, all the details are going to come out. We have confidence that the people behind this will be strictly punished," he said.

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